Machine for making box blanks



April 23, 1957 A. v. HosE:

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 27,1949 April 23, 1957 A. v. HosE 2,789,483

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS Original Filed April 27, 1949 14Sheets-Sheet 2 April 23, 1957 A.. V. HOSE MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKSOriginal Filed April 27, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet, 5

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MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS Original Filed April 27, 1949 14Sheets-Sheet 5 Wa af-4 ff April 23, 1957 A. v. HosE 2,789,483

` MACHINE FOR MAKING BLANKS Original Fi1 ed April 27, 1949 y A 14Sheets-Sheet 6 April 23, 1957 A. v. HOSE 2,789,483

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS A. 'v. HosE MACHINE FOR MAKING Box"BLANxsApril 23, 1957k 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed April 27, 1949 @hx NN14 Sheets-Sheet 9 April 23, 1957 A. v. HOSE I MACHINE FOR MAKING BoxBLANKS original Filed April 27, 194s April 23, 1957 A. jv. Hose MACHINEFoa MAKING B0X BLANxs original File@ April 27, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 10April 23, 1957 i A. v., HosE 2,789,483

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS Original Filed Ap ril 27, 1949 14Shets-Sheet 11 f ff iff' J4? fam-jf *falfif? j April 23, 1957 A. v. HOSE2,789,483

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKSv l Original Filed April 27, 1949 14Sheets-Sheet 12 April 23, 1957 A. v. HosE 2,789,483

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS Original Filed April 27, 1949 14Sheets-Sheet 13 April 23, 1957 l A. v. HosE 2,739,483

s yMCIE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKS origina'l Filed April 27, 1949 14sheets-sheet 14 United States Patent O MACHINE FOR MAKING BOX BLANKSAlexander V. Hose, Marblehead, Mass., assigner, by

mesne assignments, to Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company,Incorporated, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Continuation ofabandoned application Serial No. 39,961, April 27, 1949. Thisapplication August 25, 1952, Serial No. 306,279

This application is a continuation of my copending application forMachine for Making Box Blanks, Serial No. 89,961, filed April 27, 1949,allowed February 28, 1952, and now abandoned.

The general object of this invention is to provide a semi-automaticmachine into which sheet berboard may be fed and from which will besuccessively delivered completely formed box blanks, scored and slottedin the proper places to permit folding of each blank to form the sidewalls and scored at suitable places so that the end and side aps at thetop and bottom may be folded in to complete a box.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a machine whichmay be readily adjusted to make box blanks of any desired size, which israpid in operation, which may be readily operated by unskilled labor,and which advances the art of box making generally. A machine embodyingthe invention is particularly adapted for quick adjustment or set-up sothat very small quantities of box blanks of any desired size may be madeeconomically.

ln a broad aspect the invention contemplates a machine for making blanksfor a box from sheet stock, such as iberboard, which is fed by meanssuch `as feed rolls over a pathway in the machine during themanufacturing operation. During the travel of the stock one or moreinstrumentalities moves relatively to the said pathway to slot and scorethe stock so as to define the flaps and corners of the box to be formedfrom the blank. The feeding is preferably stopped during the operationof the said instrumentalities so as to insure clean cuts. lThe operationof the instrumentalities is effected by means associated with aplurality of gauges, control elements, or switch-actuating means,preferably independently adjustable and calibrated in length and Widthdimensions of the box so that they may be set in accordance with thedesired dimensions of the box to be formed. In'one aspect the gauges orthe like are longitudinally spaced and located in or adjacent thepathway of the stock strip so that they are operable by the leading edgeof the strip or sheet as it passes through the machine.

A further aspect of the invention is the slotting and scoring meanswhich comprise transversely spaced slotting cutters, positioned to formslots extending inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the blank. Theseslots are joined by transverse score lines made by a scoring bar. Thecutters are movable along this scoring barby means of lead screws sothat the depth of the slots and therefore the width and depth of the boxto be formed from the blank are controllable. Indexing means preferablygraduated in box width and depth may be associated with the drivingmeans for the lead screws moving the cutters.

In a still further aspect an adjustable edge guide is provided which maybe moved relatively to a trimming member, for example a saw, by the leadscrews associated with the slotting cutters whereby the strip stock istrimmed, as it is fed into the machine, to the proper V 2,789,483Patented Apr. 23, 1957 width for a desired blank size thereby precludingthe necessity of precutting the blanks to size.

in another aspect the instrumentalities include cutoff means, such as aknife, to sever the strip clear across so as to determine the overalllength of the blanks. Such instrumentality is correlated `with andoperated in a manner similar to the slotting and scoring means by anadditional gauge.

A feature of the invention is the provision of power operated drivingmeans energized, for example by means such as a switch, locatedforwardly of the feeding means in a position to be tripped by theleading edge of the stock as itis fed into the machine. Supplementarymeans such as a second switch is situated rearwardly of the first switcha distance 'appreciably less than the shortest overall length of theblanks to be formed thus assuring continuous operation of the drivingmeans until the'blank is completed.

The drive for the feeding means may include a hydraulic motor. When ahydraulic motor is used, liquid is supplied under pressure from a pump,control of the motor being accomplished by electric switches, preferablyarranged in pairs and associated with the gauges mentioned above. Whenthe switches are in pairs, the lirst switch of each pair operates toincrease the back pressure in the motor discharge line or conduit, forexample by means of a valve or orifice inserted in such conduit, I

thus retarding 'the motor and slowing the feeding. The second switch ofeach pair operates to block the discharge conduit from the motor, forexample by means ofl a shutoff valve, thus stopping the motor andlstopping the feeding. interconnecting means are provided so that thesecond switch concomitantly actuates thel instrumentalities which actupon the sheet or blank. Interlocking switching means operable by theinstrumentalities upon the completion of the slotting and scoring cycleopen the discharge conduit from the motor thus again moving the strips,starting the motor and resuming the feeding. Other electric switches areoperatively correlated with the stopping and resumption of the feedingof the strip or sheet along its path so that the slotting and scoringmeans are operated to provide the required transverse slots and scorelines are spaced at intervals in accordance with the length-widthdimensions of the box to be formed.

These and other objects, aspects and features lwill. be apparent fromthe following description of an illustrative specific embodiment of theinvention, shown in the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a plan View of a lnished box blank of the type made by themachine; l

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2a is a rear elevation of the machine with certain operatinginstrumentalities omitted; v

Fig. 3 is a front elevation partly in section showing the combinedslotting and scoring linstrumentalities with the feed rolls and thedrive therefor omitted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation in partial sectionshowing the details of the driving mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary rear view partly in section along theline 5 5 of Fig. 9 and showing the scale means for width and depth andalso showing the kickoff conveyor means;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged right side elevation of themachine, certain partsat the rear being omitted;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line'7--7 of Fig. 2, certain parts at the rear being omitted;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional` View takenalong the line 8-8 of Fig. 3 and showing the details of the combinedslotting and scoring means;

Fig. 8a is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken 3' along theline Sew-8a of Fig. 3 and showing the knife for cutting the end of theslots;

Fig. 9 is a partial plan view of the machine with the motors foradjusting various parts omitted;

Fig. l is a plan view of the machine showing the gauging assemblies indetail;

Fig. 10B is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 5 but showing analternative depth and width gauging means;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line11-11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line12-12 of Fig. 11;I

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken along the line13-13 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged bottom view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line15-15 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line16-16 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a rear elevation'similar to Fig. 22L but showing analternative frame for the machine;

Figs. 18 and 19 are respectively left side and front views, to someextent schematic, showing an alternative trimming means;

Fig. 20 is a detail View showing alternative means for adjusting thevertical spacing of the upper and lower scoring rolls;

Fig. 2l is a detail view of the driving means for the feeding andscoring rolls;

Fig. 22 is a detailed diagram yof the hydraulic and lelectric systemsfor effecting operati-on of the machine;

and

Fig. 23 is an isometric view of the drive for varying the positions ofthe slotting and scoring means and of the edge guides.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a box blank B of the kindwhich is to be made by the present machine. The blank B is formed from asheet of paper board of the desired weigh-t and strength. The said blankhas side and end walls which are shown as having different lengthwisedimensions. The longer walls WZ-WZ are `designated as side walls and theshorter walls W1 W1 are designated as end walls. Transverse score linesE3 are provided between the immediately adjacent side and end walls. Theblank B also has top and bottom aps F2-F2 and J'F7-F7 connected with theside walls W2-W2 and top and bottom flaps Fl-Fl and F6- F6v connectedwith the end walls Wl-WL Longitudinal score lines E4 and E5 are providedbetween the said flaps and the corresponding side and end walls. The topand bottom aps are divided or separated from each other by top andbottom notches -or slots N1-N1 and N2-N2 extending transversely inwardlyfrom longitudinal edges of the blank to the longitudinal score lines E4and ES and in alignment respectively with the transverse score lines E3.

When the blank B has been formed, it is folded along the score linesE3-E3 and E-ES to form a box. In a preferred procedure, the oppositeends E1 and E2 are brought together by folding the blank on the centertransverse score line E3 whereupon the meeting ends are suitablyconnected, as for instance by a length of adhesive tape. Thereafter theblank is opened up to form a hollow rectangle with additional folding onthe other transverse score lines E3, then the top and bottom end flapsF1-F1 and F6-F6 are bent inwardly on the longitudinal score lines E4 andE5, and finally the top and bottom side ilaps F2-FZ and F7--F7 are bentinwardly on the longitudinal score lines E4 and E5 and over the en-diiaps to complete the box.

For convenience of description, the longitudinal dimension of the sidewalls WZ-WZ will be designated as the length; the transverse dimensionof the side walls W2-W2 and of the end walls W1-W1 will be designa'tedas the depth; and the longitudinal dimension of the end Walls Wl-Wl willbe designated as the width As shown, the widths of the top and bottomend tlaps Fl--Fl and IFt-Fl and of the top and bottom side aps FZ-FZ andF7-F7 are slightly less than the longitudinal dimension of the end wallsWil-W2, the latter dimension being the true box width. In any event thetransverse dimensions of the flaps are no greater than the box width.

When the blank is folded as above-described, it is highly preferable forthe edges of the flaps FZ-FZ and F7-F7 to abut each other in thecompleted box, so that they may be conveniently connected with eachother, as for instance by an adhesive tape. In order that the said flapsmay so abut, it is necessary for the transverse dimensions of the saidflaps to be equal to one-half of the longitudinal dimensions of the endWalls WIr-W1, that is, equal to one-half of the Width of the box. Thetransverse dimensions of the flaps Fl-Fl and F6-F6 are always the sameas those of the flaps FZ-FZ and F7--F7, but these dimensions are lesscritical.

The blank dimensions may be widely varied to correspondingly vary thelength, depth and width `of the box. The box length may be changed toany extent within the capacity of the machine by changing thelongitudinal dimension, or length, of the blank side walls W2--W2,provided always that this last said dimension cannot be less than thelongitudinal dimension of the blank end walls W1-W1. The box depth maybe changed by changing the transverse dimensions, or depthf of the blankside and end walls W2-W2 and W1-W1, without any corresponding changes inthe flaps. The box width may be changed by changing the longitudinaldimension, or width, of the blank end walls W1-W1, but when this is donethe transverse dimensions of the aps must be correspondingly changed sothat the said transverse dimensions are equal to one-half of the changedlongitudinal dimension, or width, of the end walls.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF `MACHINE The machine embodying the presentinvention is adapted for scoring and slotting the described blanks B,and it is preferably also adapted for cutting the blanks from largerstrips or sheets of paper board stock. When the blanks are to be formedfrom a sheet having a longitudinal dimension greater than that oftheblank, means is provided for transversely cutting the blanks from thelarger sheet to provide blanks having the required longitudinaldimension. By longitudinal movement of the larger sheet several blanksmay be cut in the lengthwise direction from one sheet. When the blanksare to be formed from a sheet having a transverse dimension greater thanthat of the blank, a device is provided for longitudinally cutting orslitting the blank from the larger sheet to provide blanks having therequired transverse dimension. In some instances the portion of thelarger sheet that remains after longitudinal cutting may be wide enoughto permit two or more blanks to be cut in the widthwise direction fromone sheet. In other instances, the cutter merely `serves as a trimmingdevice, the remaining portion of the larger sheet not being wide enoughfor -other blanks. In the following detailed description it will beassumed that the blanks B are to be cut from larger sheets or strips,but it will be understood that the invention, as to some of its aspects,is not so limited.

The machine for forming blanks B is illustrated as comprising generallya support such as a work table 10 (Figs. 2, 6, 7 and l0) which forms apathway upon which sheet material in the form of a strip of paper boardmay be placed for longitudinal movement with respect to a number ofinstrumentalities Which Will operate thereon in a manner to cut theblank B to size and form the aforementioned slots and score` lines. Thesaid instrumentalities comprise trimming means 12 including a saw 104(Figs. 2, 7 and 9) for trimming one edge of the strip or sheet or fordividing it longitudinally; feeding means such as a pair of upper andlower cooperating feed rolls 14 and 16 (Fig. 7) for feeding the striplongitudinally; blank forming means such as slotting and scoring devicesf8, 18a and 20 (Figs. 7, 8, and 8a) for forming the slots N-Nl and N2-N2and the score lines .E3-E3 extending transversely of the blank; pairs ofcooperating upper and lower scoring rolls 22, 24 and 22a, 24a (Figs. 3,4 and 7) for forming the score lines E4 and E5 extending longitudinallyof the strip; cutoff means 25 such as a transverse knife 320 (Figs. 2and 7) for cutting the blank to the proper length; and kick-off means 26(Figs. 5 and 10) for moving the completed blank along a delivery apronto a place where it may be conveniently stacked flat together with otherblanks or immediately folded to form a box as heretofore described.Provision is made for automatically interrupt ing the action of thefeeding means, during the operation of the blank forming means and ofthe cut-olf means. The foregoing instrumentalities are mounted incooperating relation with each other on a frame F (Figs. 2, 6 and 7)which also serves to support an operating and controlling mechanism. Thesaid operating and controlling mechanism includes electric and hydraulicmeans, which will be described in detail. The several instrumentalitiesmay be varied as to the relationship among them and certain of them maybe omitted when the corresponding functions are not required.

The frame F (Fig. 2) is comprised of a pair of substantiallyrectangular, spaced, box-like leg members 28 connected to each othernear their upper ends by a pair of horizontal cross bars 30, and neartheir lower ends by a crossweb 32, the latter being wide enough toafford a shelf-like surface upon which is secured a large part of thedriving mechanism. The leg members 28 and cross bars 3f) are preferablycastings connected by bolts 3i, 3l and 33, 33 as in Fig. 6 althoughother suitable means such as welding may be employed. As shown in Figs.2, 2a, 6 and 7, the table 10 rests on and is fastened to the top of theleg members 28 so as to occupy a substantially horizontal position.Rising from the top of the right leg member 2S, as seen in Figs. 2, 2a,3 and 4, and extending transversely therefrom across to the other leg,is a gooseneck type frame consisting of a pair of castings 34, 34 havingsubstantially vertical portions 36 and substantially horizontal portions38, these members being spaced as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and affording asupport for such of the aforesaid instrumentalities that operate on thetop of the blank B.

Instead of using the gooseneck type of frame described above, a boxframe may be employed such as shown in Fig. 17, which is an incompleterear view otherwise similar to Fig. 29u The said box frame comprises apair of separated vertical spacers 36 replacing the vertical portions 36of the gooseneck, each of which is fastened at its lower ends to theupper ends of one of the leg members 28, a pair of horizontal beams 38replacing the horizontal portions 38 of the gooseneck fastened at oneend to the upper ends of the spacers 36' and a second pair of Verticalspacers 4t) fastened to brackets 42 fixed to the opposite legs andsupporting the opposite ends of the beams 38. This type of frame has theadvantages of being somewhat less expensive to construct and somewhatmore rigid than the gooseneck type of frame de scribed heretofore.

Suitable normally moving feeding devices are provided above and belowthe before-mentioned pathway of the machine for engaging the sheet tofeed it longitudinally along the said pathway. The feeding devices areso positioned and so held that they-remain in engagement with the sheetwhile the sheet is between them.

Preferably and as shown, the feeding devices comprise two longitudinallyspaced sets of feed rolls, the rolls of 6 one set being thebefore-mentioned upper roll 14 and the lower roll 16 and the rolls ofthe other set being the before-mentioned upper rolls 22, 22a and lowerrolls 24, 24a. The feed rolls of both sets have their axes in normallyfixed positions so that they remain in engagement with the sheet whilethe sheet is between them. The rolls of both sets are preferably spacedin the leading direction from the cut-off means 25, and the rolls of therespective sets are preferably spaced in opposite directions from theslotting and scoring devices 18, 18a and 20. The feed rolls of one setare adapted not only to effect feeding but also to effect longitudinalscoring of the blank and the rolls of the last said set comprise atleast two pairs of rolls formed and transversely spaced to effect thesaid longitudinal scoring. As shown, the last said set of feed rollsadapted for also effecting scoring is spaced in the leading directionfrom the slotting and scoring devices but the invention is notnecessarily so limited.

Feeding mechanism Referring more particularly to the feed rolls 14 and16 (Fig. 7), the lower feed roll 16 is mounted to turn on asubstantially. horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine.The ends of the roll are journaled in bearing blocks such as 44 (Fig.11) fastened to the upper ends of the leg members 28. The said lowerroll 16 has extending throughout the effective portion of its length apacket or cover 46 comprised of some rubberlike material which will havea tractive effect on the work as it is moving between the rolls toprevent slipping and to afford an assured feed. Rubber, cork or fabricmay be employed to advantage. Fastened to one end of the lower roll 16is a sprocket 48 over which passes a chain 50 (Fig. 2l) by which thesaid feed roll is driven, as will appear hereinafter.

Similarly the upper feed roll 14 is provided with a sprocket 66 overwhich passes a chain 68 by which the upper feed roll is driven. Theupper feed roll 14- (Fig. 2) has spaced along its length a plurality ofshort jackets of covering material 52, this material also being of akind which will afford a tractive effect on the paper board. The feedroll 14 is suspended in a horizontal position for rotation andcooperation with the lower feed roll 16 lin a pair of spaced hangers 54,54 arranged near its opposite ends, these hangers in turn beingpivotally supported on an eccentric shaft A56, shown in Figs. 2 and 7.The said eccentric shaft is supported at its ends in bracket members 58xed to the forward side of a transversely extending beam 16d. Theeccentric shaft 56 has an eccentric 66 thereon near each end in aposition to be embraced by the respective hangers 54 so that rotation ofthe shaft 56 will effect vertical movement of the upper feed roll 14 toand from the lower feed roll i6. This vertical movement is provided totake care of dierent thicknesses of paper board to be fed between therolls and hence to eliminate binding and scrubbing the sheet. Rotationof the eccentric shaft 56 is effected by an arm 62 fastened to one endthereof and extending vertically upward therefrom, as shown in Fig. 6,the upper end of the arm having connected thereto a forwardly extendinglink 64. By grasping the link 64 and manually pulling the arm 62forwardly or pushing it rearwardly, the eccentric shaft 56 may berotated to adjust the roll spacing to accommodate board stock of varyingthicknesses.

As is best shown in Fig. 21, the rotation of the feed rolls i4 and 16 ina direction to draw the sheet of paper board into the machine iseffected through the chains 5t) and 68 which also pass respectively oversprockets 72 and 70. The sprocket '72 is fixed to one end of a shaft 78and the sprocket 70 is fixed to one end of a shaft '76, these shaftsbeing arranged transversely of the machine and parallel to each other.Rotation of the shafts '76 and 78 is effected by means of a series ofgears (Fig. 2l)

from a hydraulic motor 80 (Figs. 6, 9 and 22) which is supplied with asuitable liquid such as oil under pressure from a motor pump unit 100(Figs. 2a and 22) as will be described hereinafter. The hydraulic motor89 has fastened to its shaft 82 a gear 84 with which meshes a gear 86.On one face of the gear 86 there is a smaller gear 88 formed integrallytherewith and meshing with a gear 90 which is formed integrally` withone face of the sprocket 72. Hence clockwise rotation of the gear 84,driven by the hydraulic motor, effects clockwise rotation of thesprocket 72 and this in turn elfects clockwise rotation of the lowerfeed roll 16, as seen in Fig. 2l. The rotation of the gear 90 istransmitted to a gear 98 formed integrally with the sprocket 70 by wayof two idler gears 92 and 96, the iirst gear 92 of which meshes with thegear 90 and the second gear 96 of which meshes with the gear 98.Clockwise rotation of the gear 9i) through the medium of the gears 92and 96 effects anti-clockwise rotation of the sprocket 70 and this inturn effects anticlockwise rotation of the upper feed roll 14.

As mentioned above, the hydraulic motor 80 is operated by means of amotor pump unit 100 which consists of an electric motor M (Figs. 2a and22) coupled to a pump P for circulating oil under pressure to thevarious operating parts of the machine, including the hydraulic motor 80which drives the aforesaid gearing. Oil is drawn from a tank T by themotor pump unit 100 and passes through a high pressure relief valve V1and a check valve Vc into an unloading valve V2 operated by an electricsolenoid L5. When the solenoid L5 is not energized, the movable elementof the valve V2 is in the position shown in Fig. 22 so that thedischarge from the pump is directed back to the tank T through the drainconduits c1 and c2. With the valve V2 discharging back to the tank, thepump P must overcome only a head equivalent to the friction losses inthe valves V1 and V2 and the associated conduits so that the losses andheating of the oil are greatly reduced during standby periods.

The solenoid L5 is energized by the closing of a normally open switch s1of a control system described in greater detail hereinafter, the saidswitch s1 constituting a trip device. The switch s1 is mounted above thetable so that its roller arm 102 projects downwardly towards the top ofthe table near the feed rolls 14 and 16 at the trailing side thereof andin the path of the strip or sheet as it is pushed towards the rolls. InFig. 22 the rolls 14 and 16 are viewed in the same direction as in Figs.6 and 7. The inserting of a sheet of stock in the machine closes theswitch s1 to complete a circuit connecting the solenoid L5 to theterminals a and c of a conventional power source (not shown) by means ofa circuit including the terminal c, the switch s1, the conductors w8, w7and w6, the solenoid L5, and the conductors W4 and w17 to the terminala. Upon the energization of the solenoid L5, the movable element of thevalve V2 is moved toward the right, thereby connecting the discharge ofthe pump P to a high pressure header c3. The concomitant shutting off ofthe conduit c1 results in the building up of a lluid pressure in theheader c3 which is determined by the setting of the high pressure reliefvalve V1. A hydraulic accumulator A is connected in the header c3 tominimize pressure iluctuations in the header c3 during the operation ofthe various hydraulic motors as hereinafter described.

The closing of the switch s1 also energizes a solenoid L1 from the powersource by means of a circuit .including the switch s1, a conductor W9,an interlock switch .t7 which is closed when the slotting and scoringmeans 18, 18EL and 20 is in its uppermost position, a conductor w11, thenormally closed switches sla, slb, s1c and sld whose function will bedescribed in detail hereinaf er, the conductors w12 and w13, thesolenoid L1, and conductors w14, w16 and w17 to the terminal a. Uponenergization ofthe solenoid L1 the movable element of the valve V3 ismoved upwardly to open position so as to provide a connection, through avalve V5, from the discharge port of the motor to discharge conduits c4and c2 and to the tank T. The last said connection includes a normallyopen slow--down valve V4, the function of which will be later described.As the inlet to the motor 80 in connected directly to the high pressureheader c3, the opening of the valve V3 results in the operation of themotor 80, thus rotating the feed rolls 14 and 16, and also the scoringrolls 22, 24 and 22E 24a as hereinafter described. Closing of the valveV3 by the de-energization of the solenoid L1 and the downward movementof the movable valve element blocks the discharge of the pump 80,thereby locking the rotor so that the inertia of the connected rolls andgears cannot cause overtravel thereof. The speed of operation of themotor 8G may be controlled by the valve V5 which may have an adjustableorifice.

As hereinafter explained in greater detail, the valve V3, when operatedas described, serves to start and then stop or interrupt the action ofthe motor 80 and the rotation of the feed rolls and thus serves to stopand start or interrupt the feeding of the sheet or blank. The terminterrupt and its derivatives are herein sometimes used for convenienceand brevity to mean the stopping and subsequent starting of the motorand of the feed rolls or to mean the stopping and subsequent starting offeedmg.

To prevent dc-energization of the solenoids L1 and L5 during the periodfrom the time the end of a sheet releases thc arm 102 of the switch s1until the box making cycle is completed, a second normally open switchs2 is connected in parallel with the switch s1 and positioned in anopening in the table 10, the said switch s2 constituting a second tripdevice. The switch s2 is located at the leading side of the feedingrolls 14 and 16 and preferably at the leading side of the hereinafterdescribed scoring and slotting means 18, 18a and 20 and of thehereinafter described scoring rolls 22, 22a and 24, 24a. However, theswitch s2 is spaced from the switch s1 by a distance less than theshortest overall length of the bianks to be made by the machine. Thesaid switch s2 has an arm 103 which is depressed when the sheet or blankengages and overrides it, the said arm when depressed serving to closethe switch and to maintain the described circuits for the solenoids L5and L1 until the sheet or blank has completed its travel through themachine.

T rmmng or slitting mechanism When the strip or sheet of stock is widerthan the blank B to be formed, it is necessary to trim off onelongitudinal edge thereof to provide the proper width, or if the stripor sheet is wide enough to make several blanks widthwise thereof, it isnecessary to split the sheet. This trimming or slitting operation iseffected by the trimming means 12. The trimming means 12 comprises inone form the circular saw 104 (Figs. 2, 5, 7 and 9) fixed to one end ofa short shaft 106 for rotation about a horizontal axis and in a planeperpendicular to the surface of thc table 10 and hence to the workresting on the table. The saw is immediately adjacent the left edge ofthe table as viewed in Fig. 2. The saw is situated so that its cuttingedge bites into the stock sheet at or about the same time that it isengaged by the feed rolls. As shown, the stock is engaged by thetrimming cutter or saw slightly before it is engaged by the rolls, thesaw being spaced in the trailing direction from said rolls and also fromthe slotting and scoring means. The shaft 106 is journaled in aholizontal sleeve bearing 1418 rigidly fastened by spaced arms 110 tothe casing of an electric motor 112. The motor 112 is in turn fastenedby means of a bracket 114 (Fig. 2) to the underside of the outer end ofthe horizontal portion 38 of the gooseneck frame. A pulley 116 `islsecured tothe opposite end of the shaft 106 where it projects from thebearing 108, and rot-ation thereof is effected by a 'belt 122 passedover this pulley and over a pulley 118 xed to the shaft 120 of the motor112. ln operation of the machinethe motor 112 is energized from asuitable source of electric power so that the saw 104 rotatescontinuously.

lt will be observed that the trimming means 12, and particularly the saw104 thereof, is located near the left side of the machine, as viewed inFig. 2. The portion of the stock sheet which is to constitute thesuccessive blanks B is located at the right of the longitudinal plane ofthe saw and the feed rolls and other instrumentalities for acting uponthe blank are all at the right of the said plane. The portion of thestock sheet that is not to constitute the blanks being currently formedis located at the left of the said longitudinal plane of the saw. Thesaid remaining portion of the stock sheet may be only a narrow trimmingor it may be of suficient width to permit it to be again passed throughthe machine to form another series of blanks. In any event the saidremaining portion of the stock sheet is not supported by the table andmoves by gravity to a lower level, downward movement being limited bythe left frame leg member 28 as will be evident from an inspection ofFig. 2.

When a frame of the gooseneck type is provided as shown in Fig. 2, thesaid remaining portion of the stock sheet at the left of the saw canhave any desired width, not being subject to any width limitation byreason of the construction of the machine. The alternative frameconstruction, as shown in Fig. l7 and as previously described, lessexpensive as stated, but it does not permit the said remaining portionof the strip to be of indefinite width. A

While the foregoing trimmer means 12 is perfectly effective in cuttingthrough the sheet material, it has one disadvantage in that it producesa considerable amount of dust which is of a siliceous character andhence may be harmful to operators. Accordingly, there may be substitutedfor the trimming means 12 described above, a pair of cooperating cuttingmembers, such as shown somewhat schematically in Figs. 18 and l9. Theupper cutting member is in the form of a disk 104 fixed to the shaft ofthe upper feed roll 14, and the lower cutting member is constituted by apair of spaced disks 105 xed to the shaft of the lower feed roll 16. Thedisks 105 are spaced apart just far enough to receive between them thelower portion vof the disk 104 and hence to afford a cutting actionwhich will shear a narrow ribbon from the sheet material asthe sheetpasses between the feed rolls without chopping the severed ribbon upinto line particles. When this form of cutting means is employed, adoctor blade 107 is arranged close to the right side of the cuttingdisks 105 at the delivery side thereof to engage the upper side of thesevered blank to prevent upward movement thereof. A second doctor blade109 is situated between the disks 105 at the delivery side for strippingthe narrow ribbon from between the disks 105 to prevent it from rollingup and accumulating in such quantity as to interfere with the cuttingaction of the disks.

Blank forming or transverse slotting and scoring mechanism Means isprovided for acting upon or forming the blank between the leading andtrailing edges thereof, this means being movable downwardly to engagethe sheet or blank and upwardly to disengage it. The said means may bevaried but preferably and as shown it includes slotting devices forforming the slots N1, N1 and N2, N2 and a scoring device for forming thetransverse score lines E3, E3.

There is a combined slotting and scoring means which comprises twoslotting devices 18 and 18a and a scoring device 20 (Figs. 3, 7, 8 and8a), the said means'being 10 located rearwardly of or in the leadingdirection from the feed rolls 14 and 16. The said means functions to cutthe transverse notches or slots N1, N1 and N2, N2 which extend from thelongitudinal edges of the work inwardly toward each other and it alsofunctions to form the transverse score lines E3, E3 running between theinner ends of the slots. The slotting and scoring means is mounted abovethe table 10 for operating upon the work as it moves rearwardly from thefeed ro'lls 14 and 16, but feeding is interrupted as hereinafterexplained, while the slotting and scoring means operate. To effectslotting and scoring, vertical movement is imparted to the aforesaidmeans, as will now be described. The slotting and scoring devices 118,18a and 20 are carried by a pair of spaced blocks 124 (Figs. 3, 7 and8), each of which is formed integrally with the lower end of a leg 126.The upper ends of the legs 126 abut against and are transverselyslidable along the lower horizontal face of a transverse beam 134. Thesaid legs are additionally guided for transverse movement by means of atransverse horizontal shaft 128, each leg having for this purpose apierced boss surrounding the shaft. The ends of the shaft 128 arejournaled in links 130 (Fig. 3). The links 130 are in turn journaled onpins 132 xed to the opposite ends of the said transverse beam 134.Vertical movement is imparted to the beam 134 and hence to the slottingand scoring devices 18, 18a and 20 by a pair of 'links 136, 136 thelower ends of which receive theends of the pins 132, and the upper endsof which are pivotally supported on eccentrics 156, 156 (Fi gs. 3 and 4)at the ends of a transverse horizontal shaft 138. When the shaft 13S isturned the beam 134 is moved downwardly or upwardly, the movement of thebeam being transmitted to the shaft 128, to the legs and blocks 126 vand124 and to the slotting and scoring devices 18, 18a

and 20. The legs 126 are guided for vertical movement toward and fromthe table by the transverse beam 160, the said legs fitting alongitudinal opening which extends through the said beam from top tobottom. The means for turning the shaft 138 and the means for moving thelegs and blocks transversely will be later described.

Each block 124 (Fig. 8) has fastened to its lower surface and extendinglongitudinally thereof a pair of angie bars 144 with the leg portions145 extending downwardly therefrom and in spaced relation to each other.On the exposed surface of each'leg portion 145 there is formed a channel142 for the reception of cutting blades 146 which have saw-tooth cuttingedges 147. When the knives 146, 146 of the two slotting devices 18 and18*L are moved downwardly, they pass into transverse slots in the table10. In so moving they cooperate with normally fixed transversesupporting bars 153, 153 (Figs. 7, ll and 12) so as to effect therequired cutting or slotting action. The cutting blades 146 may beattached to the angle bars 144 in a detachable manner, for example byscrews (not shown) so that the blades may be removed for sharpening. ltis also possible, if desired, to make the angle bars 144 and associatedblades 146 in the form Of unitary members. As is shown in Fig. 8a, theend of each slot N is formed by a knife secured to the ends of the bars144 bythe screws 141.

In the lower face of each block 124 beneath the angles 144 is a groove148 in which there is seated a scoring bar 150 which has a T-shapedcross-section. This scoring bar is the essential element of the scoringdevice 20. The head 152 of the bar is seated in the slot 148 and is heldtherein by the angle bars 144 so that the bar 150 projects downwardlybetween the legs 145 to a point which is in the plane of the lower edgesthereof and is substantially at the base of the tooth portion 147 of thecutters. This edge designated as 154 is blunt so as not to cut throughthe work. The scoring bar 150 is carried by the blocks 124 and extendsentirely across the machine. Transverse movement of the bar 150 isprevented by a pin 151 (Figs. 1l and l12) which slidingly engages a slotin the bar head 152. However, the blocks 124 with their attached knives146, 146 and 140 constituting the two slotting devices 18 and 18a aretransversely movable by sliding along the scoring bar 150. The slottingdevices 18 and 18a may be transversely moved in unison or otherwise bymechanism to be described. The effective length of the scoring bar 150is always that portion thereof between the slotting devices.

As has been stated, vertica'l movement of the slotting and scoringdevices 18, 18a and 20 is effected by eccentrics 156 (Figs. 3 and 4) atthe ends of the eccentric shaft 138. The shaft 138 is turned by a pairof hydraulic motors 158 (Figs. 3, 4, 9 and 22), these being respectivelyconnected to the eccentric shaft near the ends thereof and operated aswill be described hereinafter. Each hydraulic motor 158 is in the formof a piston and cylinder assembly fastened between the spaced horizontalportions 38 of the gooseneek frame. Each motor translates the reciprocalmotion of its piston into rotary movement of the shaft 138 in awell-known manner by means of a rack and pinion drive enclosed withinthe motor housing.

Transverse adjustment of the slotting devices 18 and 18a is effected byslots or grooves in the respective blocks 124 which grooves engagetongues extending as at 159 (Fig. 9) from correlated transverselymovable carriages 186 and 187. As best shown in Fig. 7, each of the saidcarriages is supported and guided by pairs of oppositely disposedrollers 188, 189 running in transverse channels 190, 190 suspended frombrackets 192 secured to the horizontal portion of the gooseneck framemember 34.

As hereinafter explained in greater detail, the blank forming orslotting and scoring mechanism is operated in timed relation with theinterruption of feeding, the said mechanism engaging the sheet or blankwhile the motor 80 and feed rolls 14 and 16 are idle. Inasmuch as thefeed rolls remain in engagement with the sheet while roll rotation andfeeding are interrupted, the said rolls assist in holding the blank in afixed position during the operation of the slotting and scoringmechanism.

Longitudinal scoring mechanism The upper feed rolls 22 and 22a and thecooperating lower feed rolls 24 and 24a (Fig. 4) constitute the secondset of feed rolls and they are adapted not only for feedlng but also forforming the longitudinal score lines E4 and E5 in the blank B, asheretofore pointed out. The said rolls are mounted for rotation ontransverse shafts 76 and 78, these shafts being driven through thebeforedescribed gearing shown in Fig. 2l by means of the gears 70 and72, respectively. The drive for the feed rolls of the second set is sorelated to the drive for the feed rolls of the first set that all thesaid rolls have the same peripheral speed. The feed rolls of the firstset feed the blank until it is engaged by the feed rolls of the secondset, and then the blank is fed by the feed rolls of both sets. The feedrolls of the second set which are also scoring rolls serve to feed theblank after it has been cut off and has passed beyond the feed rolls 14and 16 of the rst set. The shaft 76 is journaled at its ends in theforward portions of arms 180, 180 (Figs. 3, 4 and 7). The shaft 78 isjournaled atits ends in bearings 161, 161 fastened to the upper ends ofthe legs 28, 28. Each of the upper scoring rolls 22 and 22a is xed to ahub 163, the latter being keyed to the shaft 76 but being free to movetherealong and transversely of the machine. Carried by each hub 163 is anonrotatable sleeve 182, the sleeve and the hub being so engaged thatthey are transversely movable in unison. Each sleeve 182 has a slot 162which receives a tongue 184 on the corresponding carriage 186 or 187.Transverse adjustment of either carriage effects similar adjustment ofthe corresponding scoring rolls 22 or 22'. The lower scoring rolls 24and 24a are in like manner xed to hubs 167 keyed to the shaft 78 butfree to move therealong transversely of the machine. Respectivelyconnected with hubs 167 are nonrotatable carriages 164 and 165, thecarriages and I2 the hubs being so engaged that they are transverselymovable in unison. Each of the carriages 164 and 165 is supported andguided by pairs of oppositely disposed rollers 166, 166 running inchannels 168, 168 secured to the frame legs 28, 28 by means of bolts172.

Adjusting mechanism for transverse slotting devices and longitudinalscoring rolls The slotting devices 18 and 18a, the upper scoring rolls22 and 22a and the lower scoring rolls 24 and 24a are transverselyadjustable to change the width and depth dimensions of the box blank B.The mechanism for effecting the required adjustments is shown in Figs.4, 6 and l0 and in the schematic Fig. 23. It will be understood that, asviewed in Fig 23, the saw 104 is at the right although not shown.

Power for operating the adjusting mechanism is supplied from tworeversible electric motors 258 and 260 (Fig. 10) on a platform 262extending between the horizontal pontions of 38 of the goosenecks 34 and34'. The operation of the motors 258 and 260 is controlled by means ofconventional push button stations (not shown).

The motor 258 (Figs. 10 and 23) adjusts the upper carriage 187 and 4thelower carriage 165 with respect to the trimming saw 104 (Fig. l) and italso effects other adjustments as will be explained. By means of a Vbelt 254 a pulley 256 on the motor shaft is connected with a pulley 250on a shaft 264. As is best shown in Fig. 10, the ends of the shaft 264are journaled in bearing brackets 242 and 273. A bevel gear 266 iscarried on the shaft 264 adjacent the bracket 273, this gear meshingwith a similar bevel gear 268 on a transverse shaft 270. The said shaftoperates an indexing means as hereinafter described.

A helical gear 246 is fastened to the opposite end of the shaft 264adjacent the bracket 242. Also journaled in the bracket 242 is a shaft238 carrying a helical gear 24S (Fig. 23) which is driven by the gear246. The opposite end of the shaft 238 is journaled in an arm 211 of abearing bracket 211 (Figs. 4 and 6). T'he end of the shaft 238 extendingbeyond the bracket arm 211 is coupled by bevel gears 234 and 229 to avertical shaft 209 (Fig. 4) which is journaled in a second arm 211 ofthe bracket 211 and in brackets 216 and 214.

Mounted on the shaft 209 between the brackets 211 and 216 is a bevelgear 226 which meshes with a similar gear 222 on the end of a lead screw196. The end of the lead screw 196 is journaled in an arm 218 extendingfrom the bracket 216 so that the screw extends transversely of themachine (Fig. 23) with an Unthreaded portion projecting through anaperture in the upper carriage 186 thus permitting a threaded portionthereof to engage a threaded aperture in the other upper carriage 187.

A second bevel gear 208 is mounted upon the shaft 209 below the bracket214, the said gear being positioned to mesh with a similar gear 204 uponthe Unthreaded end of a second lead screw 176. The Unthreaded end of thelead screw 176 is journaled in a bearing bracket 200 mounted Upon thetop of the frame leg 28 with an unthreaded portion extending throughapertures in a guide carriage 564, whose function is described in detailhereinafter, and in the lower carriage 164 so that a threaded portion ofthe lead screw can engage a threaded aperture in the other lowercarriage 165.

From the above it will be apparent that operation of the motor 258 willconcomitantly rotate the lead screws 196 and 176 so that the carriages187 and 165 are moved toward or from the trimming saw 104. The upperscoring roll 22a and the slotting device 18a associated with thecarriage 187 and the lower scoring roll 242t associated with thecarriage are also moved toward or from the saw 104. This changes thelength of the slots N2-N2 (Fig. 1) and changes distanceof the left scoreline E5 fromthe left edge of the blank B, `The length of ,they

